Family from Taormina 1889

Giuseppe Bruno captured this portrait of a family in Taormina with a camera. The family presents an intriguing array of Sicilian cultural markers. Notice the clothing, particularly the elaborate necklaces adorned by the women, which signify status, familial wealth, and regional identity. These echoes of adornment can be found across centuries, reminiscent of ancient Mediterranean cultures where beads and necklaces warded off the evil eye and promised fertility. Consider the father's confident stance, juxtaposed with the daughters’ more reserved postures. The father’s clothing and upright carriage can be seen as more archaic and ritualistic than purely functional. Such postures and garments recur in countless visual narratives across time, from ancient Roman family portraits to Renaissance depictions of patriarchal virtue. The image speaks to the deep-seated human need for cultural preservation. These visual elements serve as powerful reminders of the family’s heritage, embodying a rich tapestry of tradition passed down through generations.